CARITAS is more than a word and certainly more than its Latin translation of charity. In all aspects of what is important about true charity, it is about love. This is a special love, one that is encountered when someone demonstrates care, concern and willingness to help another even though they may never meet in person. They might live thousands of miles apart from each other and not even speak a common language, yet they can still share the gift of true CARITAS love.

In his encyclical Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI wrote that love-caritas is always necessary, maybe even more so in today’s world.

“Love—caritas—will always prove necessary, even in the most just society. This love does not simply offer people material help, but refreshment and care for their souls, something which often is even more necessary than material support.” (Pope Benedict XVI)

Many of our brothers and sisters are in need of your love, whether they are in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, South America or right here in North America. We are all called by Christ to love each other as brothers and sisters. Brought together with a CARITAS love, supported by our sponsor families, our ministry partners are able to bring hope and love to children living in some of the poorest areas of the world. Our Catholic child sponsorship programs give children an opportunity to truly understand their dignity as a child of God, and grow to become confident adults formed in Catholic values and teaching.

When we love another, we must also be concerned with the whole person. We cannot leave God aside. Often the deepest cause of suffering is the very absence of God. At CARITAS For Children we do not practice charity in the Church’s name and do not seek to impose the Church’s faith upon others. Pure and generous love is the best witness to the God in whom we believe and by whom we are driven to love. Help us build a connection of CARITAS love to each other that grows together in the family of all God’s children…forever.

As always, sharing in His love for us all…

Christopher T. Hoar

Founder & President,
CARITAS For Children

Click to read about Chris’ passion for CARITAS in Legatus Magazine.